Ihedioha inherited N20b judgment debts, creditors kicking, aide claims

The Attorney General (AG) of Imo State, Ndukwe Nnawuchi has claimed that the Emeka Ihedioha administration inherited N20 billion accruing from subsisting court judgments and garnishee orders.

He accused the immediate past government of Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha of incurring the liability.

In a statement, Nnawuchi said the Ihedioha administration had been “inundated and consistently harassed, embarrassed and put under pressure by the creditors whose drive to execute the aforesaid judgments, orders and garnishee proceedings has brought the smooth running of government to a near halt, leading to an imminent collapse of governance.”

He added that, “ this unenviable situation was deliberately hatched by the administration of former Governor Rochas Anayo Okorocha to stifle his successor in office.”

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) sought the understanding of the affected persons and organisations, reiterating government’s commitment to resolve the issue.

Consequently, the creditors have been invited to meet with the AG in possession of the certified true copies (CTCs) of the judgments and orders.

Reacting, Okorocha, through his Special Adviser (Media), Sam Onwuemeodo, insisted that the state government should “show proof or stop making ceaseless claims.”

However, he has given the government seven days to publish the N50 billion car theft allegations against him and his wife.

Besides, Governor Ihedioha has approved the constitution of a seven-man panel, chaired by Okey Anyanwu, to review the last-minute appointments and recruitments by his predecessor.

In a statement issued yesterday in Owerri by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Uche Onyeaguocha, other members of the panel include Chukwuma Nwachukwu; Mrs. Ngozi Onyirioha; Chima Mmeregini; Bizmarck Eziohuru; Justin Amafili and Donatus Ibe.

They are to evaluate the recent appointments of the Head of Service; Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice; Accountant General and other heads of extra ministerial departments among others.